Lemon Lavender Cookies Recipe

There’s just something soul-soothing about baking a batch of lemon lavender cookies—the kind that instantly transports you to a sunny garden in full bloom. The bright zest of real lemons paired with soft whispers of culinary lavender creates a delicate harmony of citrus and floral that feels both comforting and uplifting. Every time I make these lemon lavender cookies, my kitchen fills with the most calming, sweet aroma—and honestly, it’s half the joy.

They’re perfect for a slow afternoon, a cozy brunch, or simply because you deserve a little treat. With just a handful of pantry staples, these buttery lemon lavender cookies come together easily and always feel like something truly special. I’ve baked them for tea parties, showers, and quiet mornings alike—and they never fail to bring smiles.

Why Lemon Lavender Cookies Are the Perfect Treat

There’s a quiet charm to lemon lavender cookies that makes them feel extra special—like something you’d serve at a garden party or tuck into a gift box with care. The bright citrus of lemon mingles with soft herbal lavender, creating a flavor that’s both refreshing and comforting, a lovely shift from everyday cookie classics. I’ve made these lemon lavender cookies for everything from spring brunches to bridal showers, and they’re always a hit—especially with a cup of Earl Grey.

Whether you like them soft and chewy or with a delicate crisp edge, this Lemon Lavender Cookies recipe adapts beautifully. The scent alone while baking is enough to make them a favorite in our kitchen, and they’re just as welcome on a quiet afternoon as they are on a fancy dessert table. These lemon lavender cookies aren’t just baked goods—they’re little moments of calm, shared one bite at a time.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Dietary Benefits & Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Variations & Substitutions
• Equipment You'll Need
• Storage Instructions
• The Secret Behind My Lemon Lavender Cookies: A Lesson in Gentle Hands
• FAQ
• A Sweet Goodbye: Your Lemon Lavender Cookie Moment
• Related
• Pairing
• Lemon Lavender Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• All-purpose flour (can substitute with gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free Lemon Lavender Cookies)
• Unsalted butter, softened (use vegan butter for dairy-free floral cookies)
• Granulated sugar
• Powdered sugar
• Egg (or flax egg for vegan lavender cookies)
• Fresh lemon zest (from about 2 large lemons)
• Fresh lemon juice
• Dried culinary lavender, finely ground
• Vanilla extract
• Baking powder
• Salt

For the Lemon Lavender Glaze (Optional):

• Powdered sugar
• Fresh lemon juice
• Dried lavender, finely ground
• Purple food coloring (optional)

Key Ingredient Notes: Make sure to use culinary lavender, not the kind meant for crafts or aromatherapy. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the best choice for baking. If you can't find dried lavender, many grocery stores carry it in the spice section, or you can order it online. For the best lemon flavor, use fresh lemons and zest them just before mixing the dough.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients and Mix the Base

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Take your butter out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you start baking so it reaches the perfect softness.
3. In a small bowl, combine the ground lavender with the lemon zest and let them sit together for a few minutes – this helps the lavender release its aromatic oils and blend with the citrus.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside while you work on the wet ingredients.

Create the Cookie Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with both granulated and powdered sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes. The mixture should become light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and the lemon zest-lavender mixture. Mix until everything is well combined. The dough should smell absolutely amazing at this point!
3. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Don't overmix the dough, as this can make the cookies tough.
4. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Shape and Bake the Lemon Lavender Cookies

1. Roll the chilled dough into 1.5-inch balls and place them on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
2. Gently flatten each ball with your fingers or the bottom of a glass to about ½-inch thickness.
3. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just set and lightly golden. For softer cookies, bake for 10 minutes; for slightly crispier cookies, go for 12 minutes.
4. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Finish with Optional Glaze

1. If you're making the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and ground lavender until smooth. Add food coloring if desired.
2. Once cookies are completely cool, drizzle the glaze over them using a spoon or dip each cookie halfway into the glaze.
3. Place glazed cookies on a wire rack and let the glaze set for about 15 minutes before serving or storing.
4. Store finished cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper if glazed.

Hints and Tips for Perfect Lemon Lavender Cookies

Here's a game-changing tip: if you want extra-intense lemon flavor, add an additional teaspoon of lemon zest to your dough. The oils in the zest provide much more lemon flavor than just the juice alone. Also, make sure your lavender is finely ground – you can do this in a coffee grinder or spice grinder. Large pieces of lavender can be unpleasant to bite into and might overpower the delicate balance of flavors.

Dietary Benefits & Serving Suggestions

These lemon lavender cookies offer more than just great taste. Lemons are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, while lavender has been traditionally used for its calming properties. The combination makes these Lemon Lavender Cookies perfect for stress relief during busy days. They're also naturally portion-controlled, so you can enjoy a sweet treat without overdoing it.

These aromatic Lemon Lavender Cookies pair beautifully with hot tea, especially Earl Grey or chamomile. They're also lovely with iced tea, lemonade, or even a glass of cold milk. For a more indulgent treat, serve them alongside vanilla ice cream or lemon sorbet.

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies: Use 2 ¼ cups flour and reduce the sugar to ½ cup for a more traditional shortbread texture. Press the dough into a pan and cut into squares after baking.

Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a good-quality gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

Vegan Lavender Cookies: Replace the butter with vegan butter and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) instead of the regular egg.

White Chocolate Lavender Cookies: Fold in ½ cup of white chocolate chips during the last step of mixing for extra richness.

Iced Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies: Make the shortbread variation and top with a thicker version of the lemon lavender glaze.

Equipment You'll Need

A stand mixer or hand mixer makes creaming the butter much easier and creates better texture in your Lemon Lavender Cookies. A microplane grater is perfect for getting fine lemon zest without the bitter white pith. If you don't have a spice grinder for the lavender, you can crush it between your palms or use a mortar and pestle. A cookie scoop helps create uniform cookies that bake evenly, though you can certainly roll them by hand.

Storage Instructions

Store your lemon lavender cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They actually taste even better after a day or two, as the flavors have time to meld together. You can freeze the baked Lemon Lavender Cookies for up to three months – just make sure they're completely cool before freezing and store them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers.

If you want to make the dough ahead of time, it can be refrigerated for up to three days or frozen for up to three months. Just let frozen dough thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and baking.

FAQ

A Sweet Goodbye: Your Lemon Lavender Cookie Moment

If you’ve fallen for the delicate beauty of these lemon lavender cookies, you’re not alone—there’s just something magical about baking a treat that feels both fancy and familiar. Whether you're keeping it classic or adding your own twist, each batch is a little celebration of flavor, fragrance, and creativity. If you're craving more sunshine-filled sweets, you’ll love our Summer Sugar Cookies—they're just as joyful and bright.

And for Lemon Lavender Cookies Recipe those who adore citrus simplicity, don’t miss our soft and zesty Lemon Sugar Cookie Recipe. Let these recipes spark more moments of joy in your kitchen, because the best kind of baking? It’s the kind that fills your home with warmth and your heart with happy memories.

Related

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this lemon lavender cookies recipe: